Emergency Contraception

Plan B is available over-the-counter for UNCW students, 18 years of age and older (males and females) at the Abrons Student Health Center Pharmacy on the 2nd floor of Westside Hall for $35. The UNCW Pharmacy is open Monday-Friday 8-5pm. It is also available at most pharmacies in the area and can range from $40-$80. Plan B is payable by cash, check, credit card (Visa/MasterCard), debit card, Seahawk Bucks (former “Flex” account), or charged to Student Account. Consumers can go straight to the pharmacy counter, show a valid driver’s license and current UNCW ID card, and get Plan B®. Both forms of ID are required to purchase Plan B over-the-counter. Any student presenting without these ID’s, or age 17 or less, will need to check into the Student Health Center and be seen by a healthcare provider to obtain a prescription.

Plan B is also known as emergency contraception and/or the morning after pill. It is 89% effective at preventing pregnancy when taken within 72 hours of the “emergency.” It is 0% effective at preventing STD’s, so if you are unsure of your partner’s status, you may need to get tested. Plan B is NOT the abortion pill. Plan B is intended to prevent a pregnancy not terminate a pregnancy.That is why the time factor is so important…..the longer you wait, the more time you are giving the sperm and egg to meet.

Plan B is NOT to be used as your regular form of birth control. Proper use of hormonal forms of birth control (i.e. the pill, the vaginal ring, etc), condoms, and of course, abstinence are significantly more effective at preventing pregnancy that relying on Plan B.; Consistent and correct use of condoms and hormonal birth control are very effective in preventing pregnancy. If you are finding yourself or a friend needing Plan B often, it may be time to rethink your sexual health behavior. For more information and any questions, please contact the UNCW Health Educator, Trisha Schleicher at schleichert@uncw.edu